For most of Geoff Turner’s adult life, he’s had a tough time explaining to friends and neighbors what his second-generation family business does. The CEO of Choptank Transport has found himself going into lengthy explanations at cocktail parties or other events to highlight what his company’s work is, only to find the listener still thinking at the end of it that he runs a trucking business.

Given Geoff’s easy-going nature, he resigns himself quickly to the fact that most people don’t have a clue what Choptank Transport does. Still, as one starts to take notice of this Mid-Shore’s company profile, it is rather astonishing that more can’t appreciate the extraordinary success story tucked away in a 30,000 square foot office complex just a few blocks from downtown Preston, Maryland.

In short, Choptank Transport plays a critical role in America’s huge freight industry. Turner and over three hundred employees work with individual truckers throughout the country to ensure that food and products get from “a to b” on time and at the best cost for its clients. It is a highly complex, logical operation for the layman, which is highly competitive in a world where 95% of trucking businesses own less than five tractor-trailers.

In Preston alone, the company has over 312 service professionals working the phones and Choptank’s proprietary database and software to design “lanes” for customers to get their products to market. Add to the fact that all of these employees earn professional salaries, many in the six figures, and it doesn’t take long to see the huge economic impact Choptank has on the region.

Now Choptank is doubling down on the Mid-Shore with a new office complex planned for Easton this year which will house another 200 employees, and it doesn’t take long to see that Choptank is a substantial player in the economic development of the five-county area.

The Spy spoke with Geoff a few weeks ago about the company its plans for the future.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about Choptank Transport please go here.

Chestertown entrepreneur Ingrid Hansen of Figg’s Ordinary, LLC has received a $15,000 grant from the second round of the national HartBeat of Main Street grant program created by Main Street America and The Hartford.  Grants of $5,000 to $15,000 were awarded to 31 brick-and-mortar small businesses in older, historic downtown commercial districts across the country to help them respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “As small businesses continue to face enormous challenges in the wake of COVID-19, they need our support now more than ever,” said Main Street America’s President and CEO Patrice Frey. “We are proud to partner with The Hartford to help small business owners address these challenges and support the resilience of the commercial districts that make our communities thrive.”

Grant projects range from physical improvements needed to meet reopening guidelines, such as to-go windows, plexiglass dividers and air purifiers, to executing digital marketing or expansion plans. Hansen  plans to use the grant to help pay for equipment and staff to expand Figg’s product line into wholesale operations. She is one of eight Chestertown entrepreneurs working with Small Business Development Center senior consultant Garrett Glover in an intensive one-on-one consulting program called BIRE, for Business Improvement, Retention and Expansion. Glover has been helping Hansen hone the Figg’s Ordinary business plan. Main Street Chestertown was able to fund the BIRE program through a USDA Rural Business Development grant.

“These HartBeat of Main Street grants are extremely competitive, and we were thrilled to hear Figg’s Ordinary was a top award winner,” said Main Street Chestertown executive director Kay MacIntosh. “Ingrid is a hard-working entrepreneur who is passionate about her product and committed to the community.”

In total, more than $1.2 million in grants have been awarded to 98 businesses by the HartBeat program. “Small business owners are a special breed,” said Stephanie Bush, head of Small Commercial and Personal Lines at The Hartford. “The way they have found new and meaningful ways to serve their communities is inspirational.”

Of the 31 grants awarded, 26 benefited diverse-owned businesses, defined by the Small Business Administration as minority, woman, veteran, disabled, and/or LGBTQ-owned. Grants benefitted a range of industry types – from bakeries and beauty salons to dance schools and breweries. Grant proposals were judged on feasibility; the extent to which the grant will address an acute business need or help a business implement innovative solutions to COVID-19-related challenges; opportunities for other businesses to learn from their work; community engagement; and strength of letters of recommendation and supporting documents.

The full list of grantees is below:

• ArtsXchange: East Point, Georgia
• B&B Billiards: Brigham City, Utah
• Backstep Brewing Company: Crawfordsville, Indiana
• Bricolage Art Collective: Paducah, Kentucky
• Cakewalk Chicago: Chicago, Illinois
• Community Players, Inc.: Beatrice, Nebraska
• Cork Wine Bar & Market: Washington, DC
• Curitiba Art Cafe: Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Deja Vu Boutique: Mt Airy, Maryland
• Evermore Coffee Roasters: Burlington, New Jersey
• Figg’s Ordinary, LLC: Chestertown, Maryland
• Flamenco Works, Inc.: Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Gentz Barbershop LLC: River Falls, Wisconsin
• Grand Illusion Hard Cider, LLC: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
• Horton’s Books & Gifts, LLC: Carrollton, Georgia
• Hunan House: San Francisco, California
• Johnson Jewelers: Puyallup, Washington
• Lincoln Into Art: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
• Melba Theater: Batesville, Arkansas
• MiLadies 182: Florence, South Carolina
• Muncie Community Market: Muncie, Indiana
• Oh Olive Libertyville, Inc.: Libertyville, Illinois
• Perfect 10 Unisex Salon, LLC: Boston, Massachusetts
• Pies by Inge, Inc.: Monticello, Illinois
• Rich City Studios: Richmond, California
• Spinning J Bakery: Chicago, Illinois
• Starlings Coffee & Provisions: Charleston, West Virginia
• Terra Running Company: Cleveland, Tennessee
• The Dance Institute of Washington, Inc.: Washington, DC
• Total Fitness Control LLC: Decatur, Georgia
• Walking Man Brewing LLC: Stevenson, Washington

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America is a program of the National Main Street Center, which has been helping revitalize historic commercial districts for 40 years. The more than 1,600 programs in its network, including Main Street Historic Chestertown, share a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. The organization is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.organd mainstreetchestertown.org.

If pandemic winter hibernation has you pining for spring, you are not alone. While perusing seed catalogs and sketching bedding plans sustains most growers, some stay active with more than garden variety flowers and veggies. Among the hardiest cold-weather warriors are Wes Gilbert and his six-man crew at West Wind Tree Farm in Preston and Hurlock, who brave the cold daily, painstakingly checking on each precious asset planted across approximately 300 pastoral acres.  

Since 1981, Wes’ late father Chuck had worked as a nursery man on Long Island.  But a growing passion for cultivating trees inspired his dream of starting an enterprise he could eventually hand down to his family. His search for a more favorable ecological and economic locale soon bore fruit. Familiar with and fond of the Eastern Shore from past hunting trips here, Chuck Gilbert found affordable, available land with room to grow.  

The local climate and soil seemed ideally suited for favorable plant acclimation, crucial to survival and successful growth, Wes Gilbert recalled. Though generally similar to Long Island in terms of temperature and proximity to water, the growing period here is a bit longer, with the first frost date usually occurring a little later, Betty Gilbert (Wes’ mom) added. Plus, it is far enough inland that the soil is not overly sandy.

By keeping the property’s original name, West Wind Farm, Chuck and Betty chose to honor the land’s legacy and reflect their own identity as more closely akin to family farm than amorphous “plant mart,” according to Wes.  Arriving in Preston in December of 2000, the couple rolled up their sleeves and “got up on tractors,” Betty recalled, starting small with just a few varieties including Leyland Cypress and Yoshino Cryptomeria, steadily expanding their range of offerings to include several types of Oak, Pine, Cedar, and Arborvitae plus River Birch, Beech, and Magnolia. (While his dad enjoyed branching out with experimental sowing of Southern Magnolias, Wes plans to maintain production of proven favorites for the foreseeable future.)  Among today’s top sellers are Green Giant Arborvitae and Crape Myrtle, he added.

West Wind’s mid-Atlantic location places the farm within affordable travel viability for buyers as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as the Carolinas. For those needing delivery, Gilbert contracts with local trucking companies to provide the service, supplying trailers. Many local landscapers and nurseries pick up directly from the farm.  Whether near or far, Wes strives to provide extensive experience marked by personal service and going the extra mile. “We mostly sell to wholesalers and landscapers. Sometimes I will sell to homeowners. It does not matter how many. It could be just one tree or many,” Wes Gilbert added.

Aged 21 when he first arrived to help his parents grow the farm, Wes’ first duties involved keeping the machinery up and running. Gradually he transitioned into the field, continuing his ad hoc apprenticeship with hands-on tree work. Over time he became his dad’s right hand, taking on more management responsibilities, training enabling him to step into the leadership role he’s provided since his dad’s passing. Patiently answering a persistently ringing phone in the office, he fields requests from customers who’ve grown to trust his experience and instincts. For long distance clients unable to select and tag prospective tree orders in person, Wes becomes a personal “finder”, locating exactly what they need and vouching for its well-being.  When making major decisions affecting the farm’s operation and future, he and mom Betty consult jointly.

On the land his dad foresaw as a family inheritance, Wes raises his 5-year-old daughter, in a community they all call home.  Over the years West Wind Tree Farm has seen a gradual increase in growth (including acquiring parcels in nearby Hurlock.) For now, though, the Gilberts are content to stay the course and maintain current size, with optimal quality and operational performance. 

To learn more, visit westwindtreefarm.com or call 410-310-8665.

Debra Messick is a retired Dorchester County Public Library associate and lifelong freelance writer. A transplanted native Philadelphian, she has enjoyed residing in Cambridge MD since 1995.

Qlarant CEO Dr. Ron Forsythe, Jr. announced the addition of Mr. Stuart “Stu” Harlow to the management team. Mr. Harlow will assume the position of Chief Financial Officer of the company beginning January 19, 2021. Qlarant is a national leader in quality improvement, program integrity, and technology solutions. Since 1973, Qlarant has been improving the performance of some of the nation’s most important programs.

Stuart “Stu” Harlow

“We are pleased to have Stu join us,” said Dr. Forsythe. “He brings to us a proven track record in strategic planning, plus extensive experience in many aspects of financial operations, communications, and leadership.

Mr. Harlow has extensive experience in both domestic and international operations along with a holistic understanding of business and finance in the information, technology, engineering, and manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining Qlarant, he was the Senior Director of Finance for BAE Systems, Ship Repair Business, reporting to the CFO of BAE Systems Inc. Mr. Harlow worked as part of a team of 60 finance and accounting professionals transitioning from a legacy cost-plus business to a competitive firm fixed-price across four Navy homeport locations. Before that, Mr. Harlow was the Senior Director, Independent Cost Evaluation for BAE and was accountable for identifying key risks to the $10 billion portfolio.  He was also responsible for reviewing new business results across three sectors.

“Stu has served in progressively more responsible financial roles at BAE Systems over the past 16-plus years,” added Dr. Forsythe. “Prior to that he honed his skills with Lockheed Martin for nine years in several different finance positions.”

“I like to think that I have a proven record of accomplishment for seeing the big picture and acting as a catalyst for change.  It’s important to balance the requirements needed to deliver the expected results for the short term, while keeping a sharp focus on the future,” said Harlow.

“I like to think about strategy when developing a business plan,” continues Mr. Harlow “When I think about Qlarant, I think about federal and state sectors and the potential for developing technology products matched with the company’s extensive expertise. Right now there are multiple areas where Qlarant can grow in this space. A strong strategic filter with a tactical game plan for handling growth presents a great opportunity.” Harlow has demonstrated the ability to create business strategies—enabling growth and shareholder returns in a global, multisite business environment. He has been responsible for creating new business strategies in Army, Navy, Marine, Air force, commercial, and international markets.

“I have always worked for organizations with a purpose or mission which helps others,” said Harlow. “I am excited to join the team and work with the various business sectors, senior staff, and contributors to the business. I hope to continue building upon the reputation the company has built over almost 50 years and expand the portfolio to shape the Qlarant of the future.”

Mr. Harlow earned a Masters of Business Administration from New Hampshire College, New Hampshire and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems from Radford University, Virginia. He also served as a commissioned officer in the Virginia Army National Guard.

The Spy “Exit Interview” series is part journalism and part oral history. Over the last eleven years, we have interviewed dozens of local leaders at the moment of their departure to reflect on their work and some of the challenges they faced in their professional careers and the nonprofit organizations they have helped lead.

In this installment, Ross Benincasa has been asked to provide some perspective as he completes four years as director of Discover Easton and its partner organization, the Easton Business Alliance.

For Ross, the last four years have seen some great success in having the world “Discover” Easton. He has also overseen many experiments to help achieve that goal. And in his interview with the Spy, he outlines his observations on what works in attracting visitors from Washington or Baltimore.

Ross also talks candidly about the Easton Promenade concept that was embraced but then was quickly discarded by the Town of Easton Council early last summer. The promenade idea was to promote outdoor dining by closing off Washington Avenue in the historic downtown to encourage more customers. Unfortunately for many, there was major pushback from other downtown stakeholders, and the town council reversed their decision within a week.

Benincasa is the first to admit the project was fast-tracked in the attempt to help local restaurants. He also acknowledges that this kind of quick change is hard to implement. Still, it remains confusing and disappointing to him that the promenade conflict has led to the end of his organization and its mission by Easton’s mayor to merge Discover Easton into one budget center with the Easton Economic Development Corporation.

This video is approximately ten minutes in length.

Perhaps one of the best gifts to a community is when an outside news source can bring a new perspective on sometimes controversial issues or trends taking place.

One of those trends taking place in every Spy market on the Mid-Shore is the appearance of “angels” in these small towns with not only a vision to rescue its struggling downtowns but access to capital to implement those plans.

To many residents in these communities, there is a sense of gratitude that their town is worthy of such remarkable investments. On the other hand, as Easton knows well, some challenges come with these engaged, strong-willed stakeholders who don’t hesitate to use their legitimate say on issues impacting a town’s look and culture.

The Washingtonian in its January issue provides a unique take on Easton’s number one fan and benefactor, Paul Prager, and his Talbot County hospitality projects.

Read the full article here.

Ross Benincasa, Executive Director of Discover Easton, the agency responsible for promoting tourism and Easton’s local businesses, is stepping down on December 31, 2020. Benincasa, who has been in the position for four years, has escalated Easton’s marketing substantially, growing the community’s presence throughout the Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia regions.

Benincasa’s last event will be the 2021 First Night Talbot virtual celebration, Talbot County’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve festivities for over 27 years. What is usually a night of live performances spread out throughout Easton will instead be delivered directly to residents’ homes via live stream on December 31, 2020, culminating in the world-famous Easton Crab Drop at 9 p.m.

“Ross has brought considerable talent and value to Discover Easton and the Town of Easton. He rebuilt our website and has been a master at digital marketing, earning the town millions of impressions each year,” commented Jeff Schneider, President, Discover Easton. “Over the years, he has been instrumental in acquiring many grants to support marketing efforts for the Easton business community, including an annual six-figure contribution from Google, and recently negotiated the soon-to-be announced COVID-19 relief grants for Easton’s downtown businesses.”

Benincasa also worked to re-accredit Easton’s Main Street Maryland and Main Street America programs, which the town of Easton had allowed to lapse, and established Talbot County’s first Arts & Entertainment District in Easton – one of the largest A&E Districts in the State of Maryland. In 2020 he was chosen as a presenter at the National Main Street Center conference in Dallas, Texas for his digital marketing work in rural communities. He has also been steadfast in his desire to increase the diversity of Easton’s Main Street businesses, making a point to strategically grow the district by incorporating Easton’s Dover Street businesses in 2020 and engaging the East End neighborhood in the town’s Arts & Entertainment District.

In addition, Benincasa’s focus on free, family-friendly events led signature Easton events such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade and Moonlight Madness to grow under his leadership, as did the number of new events in downtown Easton, including the Chesapeake Fire & Ice Festival and the Easton Arts District Culture Crossing. Last year’s inaugural Fire and Ice Festival brought over 6,000 visitors to the town during one of the traditionally slowest times of the year. When these signature events were canceled due to the pandemic, Benincasa helped organize the sale of over $30,000 in small business gift cards to help Easton’s small businesses.

“As a councilman and as a citizen, my family and I have benefited from Ross’ great work. He is always receptive to new ideas and has worked hard to bring people to Easton’s downtown. He also put energy into including Easton’s neighborhoods in his events and activities such as Dover and Aurora Streets and the East End. This has really expanded the downtown’s reach and broadened participation.  He will be missed,” commented Megan Cook, Easton Town Council President.

Although his work is ending with Discover Easton, Benincasa will continue to serve on the boards of Chesapeake Music and Talbot Interfaith Shelter, as well as in his role as commissioner in the Town of Hillsboro, where he and his family reside.

“While the last several months may have been a bit surreal, being able to settle our family and work in such a beautiful area has been one of the great joys of my life,” Benincasa said. “The credit for our accomplishments over the past four years goes directly to the small business owners and organizations that we have partnered with around Easton, and their presence makes me optimistic for the Town’s future. I am so grateful for the outpouring of support and well-wishes that I have received over the past few months and look forward to enjoying Easton’s businesses and events with my family as a customer and attendee.”

“Our board is very sad to lose Ross as our Executive Director. Unfortunately, the Town of Easton chose to transfer our funding to be managed through Easton Economic Development Corporation and they have chosen not to fund our initiatives or events, leaving us without the necessary funding to support an Executive Director,” Schneider added. “However, Discover Easton is not going away. We still have a mission to serve our businesses. A large part of the business community has indicated they still need and want our support. At the end of the day, we have a funding problem that we hope to resolve in 2021.”

About Discover Easton: Discover Easton is a marketing, promotion and events non-profit organization operating as a member of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.  The mission of Discover Easton is to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality of Easton’s independent merchants which benefit business owners, residents and visitors; and to bring awareness to the Town’s historical roots and lifestyles.